Tinnitus increase from venlafaxine/Effexor withdrawal?
Question posted by fedilio86 on 1 Nov 2017
Last updated on 3 January 2018
Hi
I am a 31 year old woman who has had tinnitus for almost 6 months, the onset resulted in deep depression and anxiety and I was put on 225 mg of venlafaxine/Effexor. Unfortunately it didn't help me enough and I had some very harsh side effects, so I have had to switch my AD and come off venlafaxine.
I tapered gradually/slowly and didn't have any harsh withdrawal symptoms before removing the drug completely. Then I became quite nauseous, tired, had insomnia, neck pains and was very dizzy and feeling sick overall. Oddly enough the first few days after removing the drug completely my T was as silent as ever, and I really hoped it stayed that way. It has been 9 days since I removed the venlafaxine completely and the withdrawal symptoms are slowly beginning to go away, BUT my T seems to have spiked now and has been quite intrusive these last few days... my ears have also been vibrating more, which is an extra psychical vibration that I usually only experience during my period, but it has been very present during this withdrawal, and it is driving me insane!
Could it be the withdrawal causing this increase, and will it go down again? If so, when? I must admit that I am scared that the withdrawal has caused permanent damage on my T.
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3 Answers
GE
Gettingbyjust
4 Dec 2017
Been on effexor 225mg for 13 years and had tinnitus for about that same length. I put it down to the effexor causing it due to if I miss a dose I notice the tinnitus seems come in waves instead of a high buzz like normal and the waves coincide with the numb flashes that happen inside my head at that time.
May not help if you have tinnitus before taking effexor but taking effexor can certainly make tinnitus worse if it causes it in some people I would think.
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
1 Nov 2017
Hi fedilio: My husband has recently been going through a similar problem. Both he and I have tinnitus and our ENT told us that we "just have to live with it" and learn to "ignore" it. He also has tinnitus from his Air Force days. Recently my husband was put on a new medication, and after two weeks, he was ready to jump off a cliff (not really!), because of the increase in the intolerable level of his tinnitus. Went back to the ENT, he said the noise level should go back to the level it used to be, after discontinuing that particular medication. He said that unfortunately, there are so many medications that make tinnitus worse while taking them! I unfortunately was taking 3 of the culprits at the time. Now I am down to one med. that makes it worse.
I went to Google, and found a few natural supplements that are supposed to lower the tinnitus level, and he began taking them last week. At least he is able to sleep again! He is getting better. But it usually takes a couple of months before even being able to see if it will make a difference. Fingers crossed! I had the same experience as you when I took effexor, and it got better a few weeks after I discontinued it. I hope yours does the same. You might consider taking a trip to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) and get his opinion. Tinnitus is hard to live with! Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing.
Votes: +0
FE
fedilio86
1 Nov 2017
Have been to an ENT twice and I have no hearing loss Hopefully mine will get better too in a few weeks. I am on another AD now, unfortunately I suffer on and off from depression and have been on another AD for almost 10 years. They have saved my life. Without them I would have hanged myself years ago.
IN
Inactive
1 Nov 2017
Hi fedilio: OK... It's good that there are other ADs that don't affect your tinnitus. As I said, as far as going to the ENT, he basically said there was nothing he could do. We got the hearing tests done. I also had a problem with increased tinnitus while taking effexor. It got back down to a "tolerable" level a few weeks after I quit taking the effexor. Just a change in ADs, as well as other medications, often helps. For my husband, the problem was with the statin medication that he is no longer taking.
CA
carolp66
3 Jan 2018
Good to read your posts, thanks. I developed tinnitus when reducing Effexor after 18 months. GP said to choose between the depression or T. Going through menopause too (not on HRT) tried but mood plummeted. Not sure what to do as struggling to cope with constant high pitched ringing in ears but find I quickly become very depressed if I stop the pills altogether. I only take half a day. It would be good to know if others feel the Effexor has caused the tinnitus as although it's a listed side effect no-one is sure if it will stop with a complete withdrawal. Does anyone know a good replacement AD? Thanks, Carol
DJ
djchurn
1 Nov 2017
I too had once suffered fro tinnitus due to chemo 35 years ago and diabetes type 2 which I have had for 15 years. Yours is a medical problem and should be approached by a General Practitioner and not a Psych Doc, in my opinion. Your asking this question in regards to a psych med interests me though. Please consult with a GP on the tinnitus. I am not trying to scare you but when the tinnitus stopped I realized I lost a great deal of hearing. Do write back once you get a qualified opinion, in the mean time I am going to ask a new Psych Doc about the side effects of another SSRI (Prozac) that I take.
Votes: +0
FE
fedilio86
1 Nov 2017
I dont understand your response to me. How do you know my tinnitus is a medical problem?? What does that even mean... Nothing can be done about my tinnitus but you can do something about the clinical depression and anxiety and that is what is being done at the moment, by taking an AD and getting counselling. I have had my ears/hearing checked twice by an ENT and I have no hearing loss.
DJ
djchurn
1 Nov 2017
Yes I have suffered from anxiety/depression for 35 years due to chemotherapy and diabetes I had tinnitus and was told by a GP and a Psych Doc to see a Neurologist and found there that the problem was not a psych problem. Meds to correct it are being investigated.
